Vermont hydro-electric switching facility on Connecticut River in Vernon to get major upgrade

The electrical switch yard at the Vernon Hydroelectric Station on the Vermont side of the Connecticut River is getting a major equipment upgrade.

National Grid Project Manager Steve Hall says an aging circuit breaker, which contains 765 gallons of oil, will be replaced with a modern device that uses no oil.

National Grid operates an electrical transmission system in the Northeast. The Vernon dam is owned by TransCanada.

Hall says the work will also result in a better electrical-transmission system and improve reliability.

The breaker that is being replaced was installed in 1961.

The details of the project were outlined this week during a presentation in Vernon.

The Brattleboro Reformer (http://bit.ly/1x6IoVD ) reports that if the Public Service Board approves the project, construction would most likely begin next year.

___

Information from: Brattleboro Reformer, http://www.reformer.com/